Empowering Cooperative Movements

Fostering Self-Help and Collective Action for Sustainable Futures

Fostering self-help and self-reliance within Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities through cooperative movements is a cornerstone of sustainable development and a key pillar of FISTCOP’s work. In line with Philippine State policy and the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), cooperatives serve as practical vehicles for promoting economic development and social justice. FISTCOP positions these cooperatives not merely as economic tools, but as cultural institutions that actively reinforce IP identity and self-determination. By embedding customary laws, traditional leadership structures, and communal values into their very fabric, we help ensure that economic progress strengthens cultural integrity and encourages younger generations to contribute to their communities.

The Power of Cooperatives

Cooperatives are autonomous associations formed by individuals who voluntarily join together to achieve their shared social, economic, and cultural needs and aspirations. They are a powerful tool for harnessing people power, promoting mutual aid, and ensuring democratic control over community resources. For IP communities, they represent a structured pathway to formalize traditional concepts of mutual self-help and strengthen their collective bargaining power in the market.

Unique Aspects of IP Cooperatives

Indigenous Peoples’ cooperatives are distinct from conventional models. Their Articles of Cooperation can uniquely integrate tribal affiliation and Indigenous Traditions, Customs, Knowledge Systems, and Practices (ITCKSP) as part of their legal foundation. This allows them to operate in a manner that is deeply embedded in their identity and culture, prioritizing communal gains and collective benefits over purely individual economic profits, as seen in successful models like the BUKTAMACO cooperative.

FISTCOP’s Support Mechanisms

FISTCOP plays a pivotal role in nurturing and strengthening IP cooperative movements. We provide extensive awareness campaigns, expert technical assistance in cooperative formation and registration with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and NCIP, and specialized capacity-building in governance and financial management. We also help facilitate access to capital and resources, guiding cooperatives in mobilizing both monetary and non-monetary assets like ancestral land and traditional knowledge.

Key Strategic Insights

Our approach to cooperative development is guided by several key insights. We believe in positioning cooperatives as cultural institutions that reinforce IP identity. We assist communities in recognizing and formalizing their non-monetary capital—their lands, knowledge, and labor—as legitimate contributions to cooperative ventures. Finally, while fostering self-reliance, we act as a facilitator to connect IP communities with culturally sensitive external expertise in areas like modern business management and market access, ensuring that external support enhances, rather than dictates, community-led development.